In a moment that has captivated royal fans and reignited interest in Meghan Markle’s growing lifestyle empire, three-year-old Princess Lilibet made her vocal debut in a heartwarming Instagram video — and with it, offered a charming one-word review of her mother’s homemade strawberry jam: “It’s beautiful.” The brief utterance, made with a distinctly American twang, marks the first time many have heard the youngest Sussex child’s voice in such clarity — and it’s already melting hearts online.
The video, shared over the weekend on the Duchess of Sussex’s newly revived Instagram account, features Meghan preparing a fresh batch of her artisanal jam, part of her lifestyle brand As Ever. While working in the kitchen, the 43-year-old Duchess asks her daughter for her opinion on the homemade spread. Without hesitation, Lilibet beams and praises it. Her response, simple yet endearing, immediately lit up comment sections with admirers praising her sweet accent and Meghan’s down-to-earth parenting.
This comes as part of a broader campaign by Meghan to integrate elements of her family life into the public-facing promotional rollout of As Ever. Since relaunching her Instagram on January 1, she has shared curated glimpses into her Montecito household, offering snapshots and clips of both Lilibet and her older brother, five-year-old Prince Archie.
In fact, this is not Lilibet’s first public audio appearance. Back in January, Meghan posted a touching tribute to their late beagle, Guy, which featured the Sussex children serenading the beloved pet. At one point in the tribute, Archie could be heard saying “he might fall,” revealing his own firmly rooted American accent — a far cry from their British royal heritage.
The Sussex family’s choice to increasingly feature their children online — albeit in selective and controlled ways — has stirred both public fascination and renewed scrutiny. Meghan appears to be embracing a more open, California-style approach to parenting and publicity. In contrast, royal commentators suggest Prince Harry is more guarded, reflecting a lingering discomfort with the kind of media exposure that shaped his own childhood.
According to royal experts Matt Wilkinson and Emily Nash, speaking on Hello!’s Right Royal podcast, Harry prefers to shield his children from public view. Meghan, however, seems comfortable with their measured presence in media, so long as it fits within her vision of creative expression and brand storytelling. While she refrains from showing their full faces, her social media strategy nonetheless uses her children’s voices and partial appearances to paint an image of warmth, relatability, and domestic charm.
The jam video — and Lilibet’s now-viral comment — comes just days after Meghan appeared at the Time100 Summit, where she spoke candidly about her passion for kitchen creations. “I’ve always loved to make things in my kitchen… jam, flower arrangements,” she said. It was this hobby that reportedly caught the attention of Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria, who suggested there was a potential show in it. That spark of inspiration led to the creation of With Love, Meghan, a Netflix series that premiered in March after initial delays due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
But while the sentiment may be sweet, critics haven’t exactly responded with the same enthusiasm as Lilibet. Reviews of With Love, Meghan were largely negative. The Telegraph dubbed it a “narcissistic brunch-fest,” giving it just two stars. The Guardian’s Marina Hyde didn’t hold back either, calling the series “a ghastly artefact” and a desperate attempt to stay culturally relevant.
Despite the backlash, Meghan remains undeterred. The jam brand, reportedly priced at £10 per jar, is one of several merchandise lines under her As Ever umbrella. While critics have pointed to a disconnect between the series’ claims of authenticity and the fact it wasn’t even filmed in the Sussexes’ Montecito mansion, Meghan’s online following appears more focused on the personal touches — especially those involving her children.
In February, fans were treated to another family moment: a Valentine’s Day video featuring Meghan making heart-shaped bagels with Archie and Lilibet. She followed that up with behind-the-scenes clips of the kids helping bake cookies for the audience of The Drew Barrymore Show, during a promotional appearance.
These strategic glimpses serve a dual purpose. They humanize the Duchess and her family — and they create buzz around her brand. Whether it’s a candid kitchen moment or a toddler’s voice ringing out with innocent praise, it’s all part of a carefully orchestrated image reboot.
Still, questions remain. Is this authentic motherhood on display, or calculated marketing cloaked in homespun sincerity? For now, at least, Princess Lilibet’s “It’s beautiful” moment has accomplished what few PR campaigns do: it made the world pause and smile — if only for a second.